North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, broke ground Tuesday on a $700 million biomanufacturing facility in Holly Springs, marking the company’s first manufacturing site on the East Coast.
“We are proud to break ground on our new manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with its world-class biotech talent, top research institutions and a robust infrastructure that will enable our growth for years to come,” said Ashley Magargee, CEO of Genentech. “With this step, we are taking action to deliver more life-changing medicines to patients faster, contribute to the local economy, and bolster manufacturing and innovation in the U.S.”
Magargee also credited federal, state and local leaders for supporting the project. “We are supportive of President Trump’s goal to bring more pharmaceutical manufacturing to the United States and appreciate the work that Commerce Secretary Lutnick and the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Investment Accelerator are doing to remove regulatory barriers that cause delays in establishing manufacturing sites in the U.S. We also thank the North Carolina, Wake County and Holly Springs officials for their partnership,” she said.
“This groundbreaking is a milestone for our community and for North Carolina’s growing role in the biotech economy,” Ross said. “Investments like this one mean good-paying jobs for our residents, expanded opportunities for workers with a range of skills and education, and continued growth for the Research Triangle’s innovation ecosystem.”
The new plant will feature advanced automation, digital capabilities and sustainable design, with the goal of improving Genentech’s supply chain resilience and expanding its U.S. manufacturing network.
North Carolina is home to a growing life sciences sector, which employs more than 225,000 people and generates $88.3 billion in annual economic activity. Genentech’s $700 million facility will create more than 1,500 construction jobs during development and more than 400 high-wage manufacturing jobs once operational, and it will open new opportunities for local suppliers and small businesses in the area.
CNBC recently ranked North Carolina the Top State for Business, highlighting its business-friendly environment and workforce. To support North Carolina’s growing economy, the Governor established the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, which published its first report in June. The Council seeks to expand access to good jobs with good wages by investing in apprenticeship and technical education programs and securing a post-secondary path for every student in North Carolina. Since taking office in January, Governor Stein has announced more than $19 billion in new investments and more than 25,000 new, good-paying jobs coming to North Carolina.